THE MESSAGE that a career in the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry is challenging, rewarding, and - most of all - fun has just been served up loud and clear to junior and secondary school pupils throughout West Wales.

Pembrokeshire was the venue for a variety of events during last weeks Springboard Careers Festival and all proved to be resounding successes.

The week opened with a Skills Challenge at the De Valence Pavilion, Tenby, enjoyed by 60 Year 10 pupils from Netherwood, Greenhill, Tasker Milward, Milford Haven, Pembroke and Dyffryn Taf schools.

Tuesday saw the first of what is planned to be the first of many Tourism Trails around Tenby, devised by Leisure and Recreation students of Greenhill School, with 75 Year 6 pupils from Tenby Junior School taking part.

They were accompanied by fancy-dressed characters representing the sponsors of the trail - Tenby RNLI, Caldey Island, Griggles, Heatherton, Manor House Wildlife Park and Tenby Cliff Rescue.

On Friday, there was a gourmet treat in store for parents, teachers and employers from the hospitality industry, when 18 pupils from Netherwood, Pembroke, Milford Haven, Sir Thomas Picton, Tasker Milward and Dyffryn Taf prepared, cooked and served lunch at Pembrokeshire College, with the help of first and second year Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure students.

Commented Springboard West Wales chairman Chris Osborne: We were delighted with the response of everyone who took part and witnessed the local events. We look forward to organising even more events and activities in the next 12 months, which we hope will raise the profile of the hospitality industry and show that it is a fun environment in which to work.

GENEROUS prizes had been donated by local attractions for the Skills Challenge, and the top points scorer - Matthew Tuttle, of Greenhill School - won a family two-night stay at the Great Southern Hotel, Rosslare, and two-way ferry crossing with car, courtesy of Stena Line.

Other winners, who all won two-person prizes, were: Piping - James Brown, Netherwood (Heatherton day ticket); Garnish - Tony Thomas, Greenhill (Heatherton day ticket); Silver service/napkin folding - Sarah Granville, Tasker Milward (BP Karting); Lifejacket drill - Shaun Dyson, Milford Haven (Heatherton paintballing ticket for two); Exotic fruits identification - Simon Parry, Pembroke School (Ritec Valley Quad Bikes); Drinks on tray challenge - Katie Bartlett, Ysgol Dyffryn Taf (Sycamores Ranch Western Riding).

Caption: Ready to launch the Tourism Trail around Tenby, as part of the Springboard Careers Festival in West Wales, are pupils of Tenby Junior School, accompanied by fancy-dress characters representing the trails sponsors. PICTURE: Gareth Davies Photography.